Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 24: Kisan Kalyan Samiti J&K has demanded that the services of local people along Indo–Pak border belt be also utilised for security purposes in entire border belt of J&K in view of growing infiltration, smuggling of narcotics etc.
In a memorandum to Chief Secretary, J&K Jai Dev Singh president of the Samiti here, today said that besides the infiltration, the narcotics smuggling and smuggling of arms and ammunition takes place from across the border and this money is being used for terrorism funding in J&K.
He said though earlier Government during the time of L K Jha as Governor of the J&K a policy was formulated under which the farmers of border belt were accorded permission to cultivate the land across the fence and along Zero Line and this proved a deterrent during that time in checking the narcotic smuggling or infiltration of terrorists from other side of the border during Punjab turmoil especially in Hiranagar Sector. He said after this policy was abandoned by successive Governments later, the land across the fence has turned barren in which five to six feet Sarkanda a kind of wild grass has grown which becomes a natural refuge for terrorists and narcotic smugglers sneaking from across the border into this side.
He demanded that local farmers be allowed to cultivate this land. This way the barren land will turn green and farmers’ production can increase. Moreover, while working in their fields, the farmers can maintain a proper vigil and detect the movement of strangers.
Jai Dev has urged the Chief Secretary to look into this issue and allow the farmers along the border to cultivate their land in the larger national interests. This way the farmers can also act as second defence line in their respective areas, he added.
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